Robert Gordon

10/30/2026

Three things in Toronto real estate that are actually frightening.

1. A beautiful old house stripped of everything that made it interesting. Original trim, plasterwork, doors and fireplaces can be surprisingly difficult to put back once they’re gone.

2. A renovation where nobody checked the permits first. What looks wonderful in the photographs can become considerably less charming when you start asking what was actually approved.

3. Buying the finishes instead of the house. Kitchens can be replaced. Bad proportions, awkward layouts and poor locations are considerably harder to fix.

After years as an architect, builder and real estate broker, I’ve learned that some of the scariest things about a house aren’t immediately visible.

Happy Halloween. Remember to look beyond the staging!

10/27/2026

The Annex = Bloomsbury with a Toronto Accent

There’s an intellectual energy to the Annex that feels distinctly its own. Grand old houses, leafy streets, bookstores, cafés and the influence of the University of Toronto give the neighbourhood a character that feels both lived-in and constantly evolving.

Like Bloomsbury, it’s a place where architecture, culture and ideas share the same streets.

🌍 So which other Toronto neighbourhoods have a global counterpart?
Explore the full list on my blog:
https://lifeofluxury.ca/the-best-neighbourhoods-in-toronto-and-their-iconic-global-counterparts/

10/21/2026

Selling a house is a project. Your agent should know how to run one.

There’s considerably more to selling a home than photographs, a listing and an open house.

Preparation, presentation, pricing, timing and the countless decisions along the way all need to work together.

Having spent years designing, building, renovating and selling homes, I’ve learned that a successful result rarely happens by accident. It takes planning, experience and someone who knows how to manage the process from beginning to end.

In my latest blog, I explain why selling a house deserves the same care and coordination as any important project:

Selling a house starts long before the sign goes up on the wall. With so much to do it's important your agent has project management skills.

10/20/2026

Rosedale Glen | 278 Bloor Street East

Some condominium buildings announce themselves. Others quietly earn their reputation over time.
Rosedale Glen offers something increasingly difficult to find: expansive floor plans, solid construction, exceptional renovation potential and a location that bridges Yorkville with the serenity of Rosedale.

It isn’t flashy. It doesn’t need to be.

→ Explore my Rosedale Glen Condo Guide: https://lifeofluxury.ca/condo/rosedale-glen/

10/14/2026

Good bones. Bad plumbing. And perhaps a little too much optimism.

There’s something special about buying a character home in Toronto. The proportions, stained glass, original woodwork and architectural details can offer a quality that survives fashion, neglect and the occasional unfortunate renovation.

But age alone does not confer greatness. A house can be architecturally excellent and mechanically exhausted. It can be worth preserving and expensive to preserve at exactly the same time.

In my latest blog, I explore the romance, reality and cost of good bones, drawing on a few personal experiences along the way:
https://lifeofluxury.ca/buying-a-character-home-in-toronto/

10/12/2026

Second Empire homes are instantly recognizable by their mansard roofs, a defining feature that creates a full additional storey within the roofline.

They’re less common on Toronto’s streets than many other Victorian-era styles, which is precisely what makes them so interesting. With their tall proportions, elaborate rooflines and often ornate detailing, they bring a distinctly European character to the city’s architectural landscape.

When a good one comes to market, it’s difficult not to take notice.

→ Read more about Toronto’s architectural styles on my website:
https://lifeofluxury.ca/what-homebuyers-need-to-know-about-torontos-distinct-architectural-history/

10/07/2026

If everyone agrees housing is too expensive, why do we continue making the business of producing and owning it more expensive?

A house today is apparently expected to provide shelter, finance retirement, support the municipal budget, stimulate economic growth and, preferably, save the Canadian economy.

That’s quite a lot to ask of a three-bedroom semi with a questionable basement.

In my latest blog, I look at housing, taxation, bureaucracy and Canada’s increasingly complicated relationship with the family home:

Get a new perspective on housing, taxation, bureaucracy and Canada's increasingly complicated relationship with the family home.

10/05/2026

Fall always makes me appreciate interiors with a little more depth and warmth. Rich burgundy walls, dark stone and aged brass give this powder room a wonderfully moody quality. It feels sophisticated, layered and just right for the season.

Proof that even the smallest room in the house can have plenty of personality.

Design by

09/30/2026

While other kids were practising slapshots, I was learning key codes and the difference between eggshell and semi-gloss. I grew up in a landlord family in the Annex, trailing my mother through century homes and collecting rent to the soundtrack of rock music and Caribana prep.

Decades later, the principles still hold: buy, hold, maintain beautifully.
Want the full playbook? Read my blog 'How to Be the Exception(al) Landlord':
https://lifeofluxury.ca/how-to-be-the-exceptional-landlord/

09/28/2026

1 Marlborough has certainly caught my attention.

Audax has described it as a building designed for homeowners rather than investors, and that distinction is an important one. Instead of chasing density or the broadest possible market, they're focusing on generous floor plans, carefully considered materials, bespoke detailing, and architecture intended to stand the test of time.

Whether they succeed remains to be seen, but I appreciate the ambition. Toronto needs more projects that prioritize enduring quality and thoughtful design over short-term trends.

I'd be very interested to see how 1 Marlborough comes together.